With plant people, the question is inevitable: "What's your favorite plant?" The inevitable answer is: "You're kidding, right?" But, in the end we make the effort. Humans like lists. At the Yard, Garden & Patio Show last weekend, four plant geeks tried, they really did, to name favorite plants in four categories: annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees. In the end, well, let's just say again, they tried. I've narrowed it down to two per category by picking my favorites of their favorites. ANNUALS(Maurice Horn, Joy Creek Nursery)

View full sizeThe OregonianColeus, dark-leaved forms from Xera Plants. "I'm a big sucker for coleus. I was at a nursery in Southern California ... came around the corner, and my heart just stopped. There were about 100 different forms. I was stunned." Second choice: Heirloom petunias

View full sizeXera PlantsGrevillea victoriae: "I do a lot of dryland gardening and have beds that get no water. I don't do anything with Grevillea victoriae except let it get big." Second choice: Arctostaphylos 'Green Sphere' (manzanita)

TREES(Maurice Horn, Joy Creek Nursery)

View full sizeThe OregonianSecond choice: Acer griseum (paperbark maple). First choice: Magnolia 'Ann.' "Definitely not a modest woman. She takes up 15 feet in the garden."

View full sizeWikimedia CommonsNasturtium: "They're a very pleasant plant. They fill out in the vegetable garden and reseed. I like wild colors in the vegetable garden like the French do." Second choice: Elephant's ear (Colocasia esculenta)

PERENNIALS(Dulcy Mahar, columnist for The Oregonian'sHomes & Gardens of the Northwest)

View full sizeThe OregonianGeranium 'Ann Folkard': "I love all of the hardy geraniums, but especially 'Ann Folkard' with her loose, viney quality. Plant it behind something, and it reaches out and embroiders it. Another great virtue is that it grows in the shade." Second choice: Hackonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Japanese forest grass)

SHRUBS(Dulcy Mahar, columnist for The Oregonian's Homes & Gardens of the Northwest)

View full sizeThe OregonianDaphne odora: "It's almost un-American not to have a Daphne odora." Second choice: Cotinus 'Grace' (smoke tree)

TREES(Dulcy Mahar, columnist for The Oregonian'sHomes & Gardens of the Northwest)

View full sizeThe OregonianCornus controversa 'Variegata' (wedding cake tree): "Very favorite tree. I got it immorally. I was working at a booth at an auction and 30 seconds before the bidding closed, I put my bid on it." Second choice: Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy" (redbud)

View full sizeProven WinnersSweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas), newest favorite is 'Sweet Caroline Bronze': "Incredible foliage. I swear it's iridescent. I threw it in with calibrachoa, and I was in heaven." Second choice: Supertunia 'Bordeaux'

View full sizeThe OregonianEpimedium hybrids (this one is 'Dark Beauty': "I have to be careful because I buy the same ones over and over. Now I keep an index card to keep them straight. It's getting pretty thick." Second choice: Hellebore hybrids

SHRUBS (Barbara Blossom Ashmun, author of "Married to My Garden")

View full sizeHeirloom Roses'Lovely Fairy' rose: "A rose I've had no problems with ... ever. It blooms all summer long into fall. Never stops." Second choice: Choisya 'Aztec Pearl' and 'Sundance' (Mexican orange)